Performance Review: BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW Z4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8 and the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport.This particular BMW Z4 has a 2979cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Z4 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Z4's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1600 kgs (3527 lbs) this makes the BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d in the same weight category as the 2021 Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Roadster 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW Z4 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 2979cc 24V St6 engine produces 302 bhp (225 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW Z4 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB 3.2 V8 (213.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW Z4.

The BMW Z4 has a Power to weight ratio of 188.7 bhp per ton and 184.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 Z4 competing with the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB 3.2 V8 (213.7 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Lotus Exige S2 1.8 (213.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW Z4 generating around 184.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (209.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4S 991 (209.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs). This BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d is also faster than the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Z4 and the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the BMW Z4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.4 secs @ 95.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs), the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs), and the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (14.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 Z4 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2009 Z4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison